Can I Use Shopify POS on Desktop? – Get Your Answer

Many merchants ask, “Can I Use Shopify POS on Desktop?” Shopify POS is Shopify’s in-house point-of-sale system, designed for businesses selling in physical locations such as retail stores, pop-ups, markets, fairs, and events. While processing payments is its primary function, the system also handles product management, order tracking, inventory control, tax settings, and deliveries.

However, when it comes to using Shopify POS on a desktop, there are limitations. While Shopify Admin provides a powerful backend for store management, it lacks key POS features such as transaction processing and hardware integration. Understanding these differences is crucial for merchants looking to optimize their in-store operations.

Highlights:

• With Shopify POS on desktop, merchants can manage inventory, track orders, configure staff roles, adjust tax settings, and analyze sales reports through Shopify Admin.
• Shopify POS on desktop has limitations, as it cannot process in-person transactions, integrate with payment hardware, or support barcode scanning and receipt printing.

Overview of Shopify POS

Shopify POS serves over 398,711 websites, making it one of the most popular point-of-sale systems for businesses across various industries. It holds a significant position in the POS market, with a market share of approximately 66.34%. 

This in-house solution seamlessly integrates physical and digital retail operations, allowing businesses to manage sales from one platform. It is particularly useful for merchants with brick-and-mortar stores, pop-ups, or event-based sales, offering flexibility to businesses of all sizes.

At its core, Shopify POS handles customer transactions, enabling businesses to accept a variety of payment methods, from credit and debit cards to gift cards and cash. The system’s real-time inventory control is key to preventing stockouts and overstocking, syncing product availability across all channels automatically. It also allows merchants to manage detailed product information, including pricing, descriptions, and variant options, ensuring a consistent experience for customers both online and in-store.

However, it can do more than just payment processing. Shopify POS offers robust order management features, including the ability to track sales, manage backorders and preorders, and handle order fulfillment directly through the platform. It also supports complex tax rules, helping businesses stay compliant with varying local tax requirements.

Can I Use Shopify POS on Desktop?

The answer is Yes and No. Shopify POS cannot be used on a desktop for payment processing as it is built specifically for mobile devices like iPads, iPhones, or Android tablets.

However, it still has some key settings related to the locations, products, orders, inventory, staff, etc. that you can control from the Shopify admin running on the desktop. 

Next, we break down what functionalities are available on Shopify Admin (desktop) and which require the Shopify POS app.

Shopify POS Functionalities Available on Desktop

Although Shopify Admin does not process in-person transactions, it provides access to various POS-related settings:

• Managing POS Apps: Shopify supports a variety of third-party apps tailored to different business needs, including inventory tracking, marketing, order fulfillment, and staff oversight. Through Shopify Admin, apps can be installed, activated, or removed, and settings can be adjusted. Action and Block Extensions provide additional tools for customizing app functions. While apps can be accessed through Shopify POS, most configurations happen in Shopify Admin.
• Location Settings: Shopify Admin controls location setup, with limits based on the selected Shopify plan. The Locations page lists all store locations, allowing businesses to search, filter, add, modify, or deactivate them. A POS device must be assigned to a specific location within the Shopify POS app.
• Product Listings and Availability: Shopify Admin provides options for adding, duplicating, editing, archiving, or deleting products. Items can be sold online, in physical stores, or both, depending on store settings.
• Stock Management: Inventory tracking helps avoid selling unavailable products and alerts staff when stock is low. Shopify Admin is responsible for tracking configurations, while Shopify POS warns employees before they proceed with an out-of-stock sale. When inventory is spread across different locations, stock availability per site is controlled in Shopify Admin. The correct inventory data appears in POS once the device is linked to a location.
• Staff Access and Roles: Merchants decide which employees can use Shopify POS by setting permissions in Shopify Admin. Role-based access allows businesses to assign different levels of control, such as checkout-only access for sales associates and broader management permissions for store supervisors.
• Tax Settings: Tax rates are configured in Shopify Admin according to store locations. Once a POS device is assigned to a location, the appropriate tax settings apply automatically.
• Shipping and Pickup Options: Businesses that provide in-store pickup or local delivery set these options through Shopify Admin. Deliveries can be handled by staff or through third-party services.
• Sales Reports and Business Data: Shopify POS provides daily reports with basic performance metrics. For deeper insights, including trends and detailed analytics, Shopify Admin must be used.

Limitations of Using Shopify POS on Desktop

While Shopify Admin manages various POS functions, certain settings must be adjusted directly in the Shopify POS app, making them unavailable on a desktop.

• Processing Transactions: Shopify Admin focuses on backend operations and does not support direct customer interactions in-store. Since it lacks integration with card readers, processing in-person transactions requires the Shopify POS app, which connects to payment hardware.
• Accepting Different Payment Methods: Stores can customize accepted payment methods, including debit cards, credit cards, cash, and gift cards. Payment options such as full, split, or partial payments can also be configured within the Shopify POS app.
• Activating Shopify Payments: Shopify POS works exclusively with Shopify Payments. Third-party payment processors require manual entry in Shopify Admin, which is not ideal for retail operations.
• Adjusting Autolock and Display Mode: Some settings related to the POS app interface must be modified within the app. For example, devices can be set to lock after a period of inactivity or at the end of a sale. The display mode can also be switched between light and dark.
• Changing Language Preferences: Language settings for the Shopify POS app must be adjusted within the app itself, as Shopify Admin does not provide this option.
• Editing the Smart Grid: Titles within the Shopify POS smart grid can be added, modified, or removed through the app. However, managing multiple layouts requires access to Shopify Admin.
• Hardware Integration: Shopify POS connects with devices such as card readers, barcode scanners, and receipt printers. These integrations are managed within the POS app, as Shopify Admin does not support them.
• Barcode Scanning: canning barcodes require a camera-equipped device. This function is available through the Shopify app on mobile or the Shopify POS app, but not on the Shopify Admin desktop interface.
• Receipt Printing: To print receipts, a POS device must be linked to a compatible printer. While receipt details and settings can be customized in both Shopify Admin and Shopify POS, the actual printing is handled exclusively through the POS app.

ConnectPOS – Comprehensive Shopify POS Solution for Retailers 

As eCommerce continues to evolve, retailers need a powerful, scalable, and intelligent point-of-sale system to unify their online and offline operations. ConnectPOS emerges as a best-in-class Shopify POS solution, designed to streamline omnichannel commerce, optimize inventory management, enhance customer experiences, and drive business growth.

Let’s explore its most ambitious capabilities and how they empower Shopify merchants.

• Omnichannel Integration – Syncs online, in-store, and mobile sales seamlessly.
• Advanced Inventory Management – Supports multi-warehouse tracking, barcode scanning, and automated stock transfers.
• Flexible Payment Options – Accepts contactless, mobile, and split payments.
• Real-Time Synchronization – Ensures instant updates across all connected platforms.
• Customizable POS Setup – Supports different retail industries, from fashion to B2B wholesale.
• Enterprise-Grade Performance – Cloud-based architecture with 24/7 support.
• Multi-Store Management – Manage multiple store locations from a single system.
• Offline Mode – Process transactions even without an internet connection, syncing data once online.
• Self-Checkout & Mobile POS – Reduce wait times with self-service kiosks and mobile POS devices.

For Shopify merchants looking to scale efficiently, ConnectPOS provides a feature-rich, highly customizable solution.

FAQs: Can I Use Shopify POS on Desktop?

Can I Use Shopify POS on Desktop?
Yes and No. Shopify POS is designed for mobile devices and tablets to handle transactions. While Shopify Admin can be accessed on a desktop to manage inventory, orders, and reports, in-person transactions require the Shopify POS app on a compatible device.

Can I customize my POS settings from a desktop?

Some settings, like smart grid layouts and staff permissions, can be managed in Shopify Admin. However, checkout settings, payment options, and in-store functionalities must be configured within the Shopify POS app.

Is there a way to process transactions on a desktop with Shopify?

No, Shopify POS requires mobile or tablet devices for payment processing. If you attempt to use Shopify Admin for in-store transactions, you’ll need to manually enter payment details, which is not ideal for retail operations.

Conclusion

So, now you have the answer to the question, “Can I use Shopify POS on Desktop?” While Shopify Admin offers essential tools for managing products, orders, and reports, it cannot process in-person transactions or connect with POS hardware. To run a physical store efficiently, businesses need the Shopify POS app on a mobile device or tablet. Using both Shopify Admin and Shopify POS together ensures a seamless retail experience.

For a more advanced and fully customizable POS solution, consider ConnectPOS. With industry-leading features, real-time synchronization, and seamless Shopify integration, ConnectPOS helps businesses optimize their in-store operations and grow effortlessly. Contact us today!